More than 300,000 students return to college and university campuses this month in Georgia.

The biggest changes include a newcampus carry law that allows students with licensed weapons permits to carry firearms on portions of campuses, additional credit to studentswho take approved STEM courses to keep their HOPE scholarships and the repurposing of Turner Field into Georgia States new football stadium.

Heres a look at some changes at some of metro Atlantas largest campuses and the University of Georgia.

The renovation of Rebekah Scott Hall. The $16.5 million project will house a new welcome center, updated offices for admissions and financial aid and residential space for students who will live on the upper two floors.

Atlanta Metropolitan State College

An online Bachelor of Science degree in organizational leadership. It includes a choice of concentration in public service, healthcare administration or office administration and technology.

Its createdthe Department of Cyber-Physical Systems. It will include new bachelor of science programs in cybersecurity, robotics, and data analytics.

The first-two floors of a new $400 million hospital tower opened on July 31, bringing the total number of licensed beds at Emory University Hospital to 733. Patient floors begin opening in late August, and the hospital tower will be fully operational by the end of October.

Awidening of a portion of Clifton Road and its sidewalks, a bike lane, new landscaping and improved visibility of intersections along Clifton Road.

The campus West Village, which includes five micro-restaurants, Panera Bread and Starbucks, music classrooms, and shared meeting rooms.

Georgia Techs West Village, which will include shops, restaurants, classrooms and meeting rooms. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

The new football stadium, which will have its first game on Aug. 31 against Tennessee State.

A new College of the Arts that offers 20 top undergraduate, graduate and non-degree programs in art, design, music, film, digital media, theater, etc.

New building for its growing Creative Media Industries Initiative.

Kennesaw State University

Students applying to KSU for fall 2018 can choose to apply through a non-binding, early action application or through a regular decision application, a process used by most competitive universities in the state. Meeting the minimum requirements will no longer guarantee a spot at the university.

New degree programs in computer engineering and cybersecurity.

The college is expanding its health science classes. For the first time, classes in human anatomy, microbiology and ethnobotany will be offered this fall to attract more students interested in pursuing careers as dentists, pharmacists, and medical doctors.

Interim president Harold Martin, a former valedictorian. The college is conducting a search process for a permanent president.

The university is breaking ground on the I.W.Ike Cousins for Science and Innovation. The center will have laboratory-classrooms, independent study labs, open study rooms and faculty offices.

The college has a new documentary filmmaking and photography majors beginning this fall. Both new majors are part of the Department of Art & Visual Culture, formerly the Department of Art & Art History.

In September, theyll open a facility to support the Center for Molecular Medicine. The state provided $17 million to support the project. The faculty for this center are working on cures and therapies for diseases such as diabetes, cancer and dementia.

Best quality of life: Emory University (No. 3), Agnes Scott College (No. 20) Great financial aid: Emory University (No. 15) Most conservative students: Berry College (No. 20) Most liberal students: Agnes Scott College (No. 12) Most LGBTQ-friendly: Agnes Scott College (No. 7) Lots of race/class interaction: Agnes Scott College (No. 20) Most beautiful campus: Berry College (No. 9) Most active student government: Agnes Scott College (No. 9) Best college dorms: Emory University (No. 8) Most religious students

Go here to read the rest:

Georgia colleges gear up for new semester - AJC.com - Atlanta Journal Constitution